New Forum For Utopian Discussions

**C. Flower** · 14-09-2011, 07:01 PM

By popular demand (myself and at least one other) we are opening this new forum for utopian and visionary politics.

**Theresa** · 14-09-2011, 09:06 PM

Sounds good to me!

**fluffybiscuits** · 14-09-2011, 09:26 PM

love the idea!

**jmcc** · 14-09-2011, 09:57 PM

Best to keep all the utopianists in one panopticon.

Regards...jmcc

**PaddyJoe** · 14-09-2011, 10:14 PM

Nothing for the dyspepsians?

**Dr. FIVE** · 14-09-2011, 10:16 PM

There's a whole site for that else where

**jmcc** · 14-09-2011, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by PaddyJoe McGillycuddy

Nothing for the dyspepsians?

There's the Al Qua'zelter forum.

Regards...jmcc

**C. Flower** · 14-09-2011, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by jmcc

There's the Al Qua'zelter forum.

Regards...jmcc

**PaddyJoe** · 14-09-2011, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by jmcc

There's the Al Qua'zelter forum.

Regards...jmcc

Good 'un

**rebellin** · 14-09-2011, 11:27 PM

It would be useful since the term Utopia was coined by St Thomas More to think about what he meant when he wrote that famous work. His words may serve to remind us of the mess we face in the world today, and why the very real visionaries must be called upon to turn vision into policy.

The Plantagenet kings were in the mind's eye of Thomas More when he wrote these words, spoken by the traveller Raphael in Utopia, More's parable of statecraft:

"... the Anchorians, a people that lie on the South-east of Utopia, who long ago engaged in war, in order to add to the dominions of their prince another kingdom, to which he had some pretentions by an ancient alliance. This they conquered, but found that the trouble of keeping it was equal to that by which it was gained; ... they were obliged to be incessantly at war, either for or against [the conquered kingdom], and consequently, could never disband their army; that in the meantime they were oppressed with taxes, their money went out of the kingdom, their blood was spilt for the glory of their king, without procuring the least advantage to the people ... and their laws fell into contempt. ... To this I would add, that after all those warlike attempts, the vast confusions, and the consumption both of treasure and of people that must follow them; perhaps on some misfortune, they might be forced to throw up all at last; therefore, it seemed much more eligible that the king should improve his ancient kingdom all he could, and make it flourish as much as possible; that he should love his people, and be beloved of them; that he should live among them, govern them gently, and let other kingdoms alone, since that which had fallen to his share was big enough, if not too big, for him."

**Justin Casey** · 15-09-2011, 02:38 AM

Utopia — from the Greek ou, meaning not, no; and also from the Greek topos, meaning place. Literally no place or nowhere.

We know a song about that, don't we boys and girls?

"We're on a road to nowhere, come on inside
Taking that ride to nowhere, we'll take that ride"

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtdBtZOG17E"]Talking Heads – "Road To Nowhere"[/ame]